Clean up crew
- Thread starter Anthony Malagisi
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There packages always seemed like a lot to me. I'd go with a smaller volume tank package, but find one with a similar footprint. The footprint effects the ratio of sand snails vs ones that will clean the glass and rocks.
OREGONIC
Well-Known Member
A mix of 10-15 snails and 5-10 hermit crabs. Over time you can add more as needed based on alga growth, and the hermits killing snails for shells. You may in the long run end up doubling or more that amount.
What size is your tank? Get a package for a tank half the size.
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When I started my 90G I added 10 small hermits and a couple snails at about 3 weeks. Then at 1 month I transferred a few more snails and hermits from my rescue tank
Get one for a 20-30 gal tank to start.
Also I would recommend one without hermits.
OREGONIC
Well-Known Member
Hermits always get hate lol. I love my hermits but they are murderers. I have found the scarlet hermits to be the least violent and the blue legged hermits to be the most hardened of criminals. Luckily replacement snails are cheap and i just add a few new ones every 3-4 months as needed.
Dapperjman
Active Member
Definitely wait for the cycle to finish! You don't want ammonia or nitrite present.
As far as the numbers go though, I started my 120 with about 10 snails and 6 hermits. 4 of the snails were trochus, which I think are one of the best and they reproduced after a year and now I have plenty!
As far as the numbers go though, I started my 120 with about 10 snails and 6 hermits. 4 of the snails were trochus, which I think are one of the best and they reproduced after a year and now I have plenty!
OREGONIC
Well-Known Member
That doesn’t look to bad. Your tank is going to go through its shre of uglies at first, its just part of the process. If you add to much of a CUC they will just die off fueling more algae growth. I agree with Dapperjman trochus snails are some of the best. Nesarius snails are really good to for the sand they help keep it free of uneaten food.
Also be prepared for the Nerites to escape and meet their dry bitter ends. I saved mine countless times but eventually they all died.
Hello so I have been getting my tank cycled and looking into a clean up crew and found a few packages at reefcleaners.com they seem a bit extreme
And also
What do you guys think
Don’t forget rotifers and copepods. They are both good detritivores. They are both one of the best foods you can feed your fish and corals. It’s my opinion it help avoid old tank syndrome.
I grow rotifers and copepods in separate containers/aquariums. It’s really interesting and my tank has never looked better. Since I’ve been “dosing” my aquarium daily with rotifers and less frequently with copepods. I have this Mandrin and he’s gotten HUGE eating all the copepods that produces. It’s amazing. I brought home two Acan frags for 5.00$, near expiration. The tissues all receded. For a couple weeks I target fed them and my other corals. After a couple weeks of rotifers, they came back to life.
Also my Mandrin got fed copepods daily and he’s HUGE.
